***The city of Berondin, after several weeks…***

  Long after the st of the demon armies were scattered at the end of the 11th Human-Demon War, the elvish settlement of Berondin first came into existence. By then, the god of Chersea and the Five Realms, Gaius, had stepped down from his divinity and lived as a mortal. In his pce were the saints, each given the god-powers formerly vested on Gaius and came from the various races from the worlds connected by the ‘crossings.'

  While the lines of the human and elvish saints were established long before the downfall of the Roman god, it was the first time they were given the semi-divine responsibility of guiding their people toward the graces of the heavens. The Lady Hinwe Tal-Inwir, a friend and ally of the human race, was the first elvish saint to receive the god-powers. Thus, the influence and prestige of her ‘office’ grew among the elves.

  And this is how the ‘Great Schism’ started…

  In the elvish society, originally there were two religious factions. The first were the ‘forest elves’, so-called because they advocated living with the nature around them. This group was supported by the Elf Saint, as she wanted a ‘sustainable’ and ‘secure’ life for her subjects. The other side was the ‘human-friends,’ or elves, pushing to live like their human allies. While they still maintained their pride as elves, these people wished to use the ancient forests of Cherwoods for their development…pretty simir to human cities in Chersea, which cleared the woodnds formerly dotted their realm.

  Thus, with such different ways to live, the forest elves and human-friends decided to separate. The former settled in Cherwoods itself, while the tter built their cities on the fringes of the region. Still, these elves had a sense of brotherhood and peaceful separation. There were cases of cooperation to a certain degree, which both sides thought was unbreakable…

  And then, it happened…

  The Lady Hinwe Tal-Inwir suddenly decided to improve the lives of her subjects, thus, she sought to had the forest elves learn the ways of men. Of course, they resisted, accusing her of pandering to other races. Things got even worse, when the Elf Saint proposed to use the demon methods in sustaining the agricultural produce. So much was the shock and indignation of the forest elves that they thought the human-friends used witchcraft to prod her to do it. Naturally, the human-friends denied it and fought back.

  With a rger popution than their enemies, it was easy to know who won in the following strife. The forest elves destroyed the ‘stone cities’ the human-friends built, and they forced the remnants to flee to far-flung pces where the former’s armies couldn’t easily reach them. Contact with the humans and other races was lost, and the technology of the human-friends devolved from the use of stones and masonry for their cities to mud and grass to fortify their st settlement, Berondin.

  “…”

  As someone who was there to watch the tragedy unfold for ages, the Bck God could only shake his head. There were many chances the elves could’ve set their differences aside to work on a common goal, but they didn’t; simply because of their hubris. That hubris also caused the Seductress to be attracted to this world since their schism had been ongoing for many ages and built up feelings of enmity and bitterness for her to consume.

  However, this time the Bck God is determined to end their schism…

  The disappointing news from the otherworlder, Kuro of Arles, and the refusal of the city of Elgon to fight, convinced him that he should dig in for a war of attrition. Until the Chersean elves of the Duke of Maverny attack, the fight against the Seductress would be limited to the inhabitants of Cherwoods.

  And he has to unite the elvish factions into a powerful force…

  “This is how you grow pnts using only water,” he showed to the elves—both the locals of Berondin and the refugees—his idea of increasing the agricultural produce in that area. “It’s called ‘Hydroponics,’ and this farming technique not only saves space but also keeps your crops safe from the threat of the advancing sands from the south of Cherwoods.”

  To prove his point further, the deity chanted a spell that caused the sample pnt to grow quickly.

  “Look, as you can see, I’m only causing the crop to grow. Of course, while under my spell, this pnt still has its needs, like nutrients and water to live. That’s why the water level in this container is getting lower. Even if you closely examine the water, I’m not doing anything. But, you can tell that this one is a healthy pnt, ready to be eaten.”

  “Your Holiness,” a refugee asked. "This is a human convention, right? Why do we—the proud elves of Cherwoods—have to use human ideas in our everyday lives?”

  “That pride will wipe your people out if you insist on it,” the warrior deity decred, trying to keep his voice down. Nevertheless, his annoyance at the trivial matter raised by the elf escaped from his mouth through his booming tone. “Look, everything is permissible under heaven. Of course, the gods won’t share this knowledge if it’s something that will harm their creations! Your saint, the Lady Hinwe, tried to improve your lives by teaching you these things, and yet, your foolishness drove her to become the irresponsible dy she is today! What’s the basis of your objection to this, other than you are elves, and this is human knowledge?”

  The forest elves were silent, speechless after the stinging rebuke. However, the Bck God’s concerns didn’t end there…

  “Milord,” an elder of Berondin commented, “while this is surely a beneficial knowledge, our people prefer to hunt than farm.”

  “Well, I’m just handing you the know-how,” the Bck God replied. “Whether you use it depends on your choice. But then, you have to consider; we’re fighting a conflict against a powerful enemy. You’ll definitely need lots of resources.”

  “My apologies, lord. I think you’re making a mistake here,” the elder countered. “This war is not our business. Our people have been persecuted since time immemorial, and fighting enemies are just like another ‘ordinary moment’ for us. We’re just helping these forest elves because we are not cold-blooded murderers; we can’t turn away people asking our aid.”

  “A god never commits a mistake, especially in this matter,” the Bck God pointed out. “The monster back at the Saint’s Tree is no ‘ordinary enemy’ you faced before, and it’s highly-recommended that you help these poor folks that formerly hated you. After all, the more of them you kept from getting killed, the higher your chance of winning. And, the higher your chance of success, the bigger is the possibility of you and your people getting to live for another long sleep. Isn’t it what everyone here wants? You need not tell me; I can see your hearts and minds. Set aside your differences and work together to fight and survive!”

  The Berondin elder fell silent after the rebuke.

  However, the Bck God added, “Besides, once everything settles down and you are victorious, I’m sure that your forest kin will look back at your actions with gratitude. Your conflict with them will end. But first, we’ll have to settle in and weather the worst.”

  ----------

  ***The training camps of the Elvish Expeditionary Force, five days before sailing to Cherwoods…***

  For several weeks after the incident at the Maverny wharf, the recruits of the New Elebor-New Guriev regiment underwent discipline and firearms training, much to their ugly shock. Many of the elves didn’t expect the harsh words thrown at them by their officers, most of whom were veteran mercenaries, and even the way they were taught to fight using a ‘bolt-heater rifle.’ They all thought the battles their siblings and friends fought in the past could still be found today. Only when they began the military exercises at the beaches of Amaranth, the young elves realized they were in for a different kind of war.

  “Move! If you don’t keep on moving, the enemy will kill you,” bellowed the officer with them. “Stay at the back of the tank if you don’t want to get skewered by elvish arrows!”

  With the ‘designated magicians’ leading them, the soldiers of the New Elebor-New Guriev regiment followed the makeshift tank made of wood as they crossed the simuted beach battlefield. The commanders of the expeditionary army also created explosions nearby, trying to imitate the ‘possible’ enemy bombardment using catapults, and magic spells. While it did take them some time to get used to the sounds and sights of a gunpowder battle, the elves did get used to it.

  As if by a strange turn of events, Behrien and Gmden were assigned to the same battalion and squad. They both held rifles, though the tter, due to his height, was assigned to carry extra repcement barrels for his group’s bolt-heaters. The smaller elf was expected to fight only when things were desperate.

  “Incoming arrows!”

  Because of his role in his team, Gmden was often given the pce near the back of the tank, as they practiced the assault. No one in his squad wanted their ‘carrier elf’ to get killed on the first try, so he rode inside the vehicle or marched behind, much to his dismay. The elf wanted to be on the frontlines, after all.

  “Disembark! Go! Go! Go!”

  Upon the orders of their squad leader, the elves inside the makeshift tank jumped to the sand, while those following outside scattered. Dashing towards the foot of the enemy defenses, by this part of the exercise, they were judged according to how fast they reached the ‘covers,’ braving the ‘enemy’ arrows and bombardment. Even if it was just practice, hitting the beaches with real magic and arrows raining on them was enough to tell Gmden and Behrien’s squad that they should take the exercise seriously. They all went for cover once they got to their ‘disembarkation’ point.

  “Behrien,” their squad leader asked, looking around. “Where’s our carrier?”

  “Why are you asking me—ow!” One sp to the elf’s face was enough to bring Behrien back to reality.

  “I’m your commanding officer! Answer me with respect, stupid elf!”

  “S-Sorry sir! I don’t know his whereabouts, sir—ow!”

  “Don’t give me that kind of reply! Find him, and fast!”

  Behrien wanted to throw a fist at his commander, who was actually the oldest of his friends back in the vilge. However, he had to py along, as their regiment officer always reminded them to take the simution seriously. So, even with all the arrows and magic spells flying down, the elf dashed back to where they came from.

  “!!!”

  He found their ‘carrier elf’ lying on the sand, swamped by the heavy equipment on his back.

  “What are you doing?” Behrien pulled him up and helped him sit down. “The commander is looking for you; don’t just sleep there!”

  “Well, if you’re going to nag me about it, then won’t you try sharing my load?” Gmden answered back, dusting himself. “I fell on the sand, and it’s quite difficult to maintain my bance!”

  Behrien heaved a sigh. Then, he slung his rifle on his back and grabbed some equipment from Gmden. “You better not do this to us when we go in for the real thing. You’re going to get us killed, you know?”

  The smaller elf was silent. Though annoyed at Behrien, he couldn’t deny his words were true. Now that he was informed why he got rejected, Gmden would like to back out of his commitment. However, by this time, no one could take his enlistment back; not only did he invest much for him to back out, but the trouble he stirred at the Maverny wharf earned him a huge debt to the Duke of Maverny himself, who took care of his expenses.

  “Hurry!” Behrien prodded him. “And don’t get shot by the arrows!”

  But the weight of Gmden’s pack and the soft sand slowed them down. He vented out his frustrations by shouting, “I-I’m trying!”

  From their covers, their fellow friends called out to them, urging the two to make a dash as the ‘enemy’ arrow fires intensified. Gmden, pushing himself to the limits, finally felt his knees buckle in and fell on the sand again. Behrien, equally tired, was forced to drag his companion to safety.

  However…

  “Argh!” An arrow finally struck him in the back, causing Behrien to stumble. While the activated ‘substitution dolls’ ensured that they wouldn’t get killed or injured permanently during the simution, it was still painful to receive an arrow wound.

  “Behrien!” Gmden blurted out, crawling to his side. Then, in an effort to protect him, the little elf turned his back towards their enemies, effectively using the backpack filled with their spare equipment to shield themselves from the barrage.

  And finally…

  “!!!”

  A shrill whistle echoed across the beaches, signifying the end of the simution. An officer at an observation post near them decred, “New Elebor Squad 3 time: 7 minutes. Casualties: two, including the carrier. Efficiency rate: 95%.”

  ----------

  ***The Saint’s Pace, Holy Patial Gardens, hours before the ‘Elvish Expeditionary Force’ departed for Cherwoods…***

  The Lady Hinwe Tal-Inwir could still remember the words of the previous saint, the Lady Enhaine when she anointed the former as her successor…

  “You’ll be a great leader of our people someday, Hinwe. Do not run from your destiny.”

  Since she said those to the Lady Hinwe, it’s always been in her heart…guiding her every decision and pn. She toiled to improve her people’s lives. The current Elf Saint aspired to be the ‘great leader’ the Lady Enhaine said she was meant to be.

  However, everyone knew what happened to the Lady Hinwe. Who could bme her? All the things she intended for good were taken for granted, and her people hated their holy dy when she tried to draw the limits.

  Then, the Lady Hinwe found soce in the books—those mangas, and some animes—the Lord Gaius brought her. While taking a break from everything to heal herself, she slowly forgot the words of the Lady Enhaine. For the Lady Hinwe, the previous saint’s decision to let her be the successor was wrong since for every decision the Lady Hinwe took back then, the elves would hate her even more. So, she built a wall around herself and focused on those characters who seemed so cheerful and carefree.

  But…even when the Lady Hinwe was hurt, she was still the saint. Even when she didn’t want to get up and just sleep until the next age, she was still entrusted with the holy guidance of the elves. The Elf Saint fell into her own trap, unable to get back and rule properly. Thus, her officials exploited her absence, weakening the elves’ realm. Looking back, though she had every reason just to drop everything and move on with life, she still held on to that small hope that someday, sometime ter, she would get that lost motivation to lead her people.

  Just like in those mangas she read…

  “…”

  However, this was real life, and the wait was long. As the ages passed and new generations of elves were born, so was her hope, like a burning candle, slowly wasted away. The Lady Hinwe got used to such a decadent life, she didn’t care anymore. If her world ended at that point, then so be it. Her people accused her of uselessness, then useless she shall be…

  Until Kuro appeared…

  The Lady Hinwe hated his guts. She hated his meddling in her peaceful life behind the doors of her private chambers. Yet, that human kept on pushing for her to return, no matter how much she told him she didn’t like it. He’d always come back to pull or push her even if she rejected him thousands of times.

  “If you won’t wake up from your sleep, I’ll break your ptop so it won’t open again!”

  “Fuck you! Don’t enter my room with my permission!”

  “If I asked for your permission, you’d be long dead before we find your body! You won’t even open your doors if we knock!”

  The Elf Saint could only gre at him back then, as he pulled her out of her isotion. Swearing he’d only waste his time on her, the Lady Hinwe tried her best to piss him off. Make him give up. But, what can she say? This guy was definitely weird; he waited on her patiently and even gave her back her friend and blood-sister, Meanor. And for what cost? Nothing! Could a human—well-known for their double dealings—give something dear to them, and yet ask for nothing? Only Kuro did that to her…

  “!!!”

  It’s time for her to answer Kuro’s sentiments. The Lady Hinwe of today will not run from her destiny anymore…

  The gilded doors of the Saint’s Pace opened before her, and on the other end of the hall was the Human Saint, the Lady Madeine. Fnking her were the Beastman Saint, the Lady Ruro, the Demon Saint, the Lady Natasha, and the Overseer Saint—standing by the side pilr to the left, the Lady Seirna. As she approached them, the Lady Madeine stood up and welcomed the Elf Saint with a curtsy. With them were her head maid, Princess Lilyhaven of Nerfes, and the Human Saint’s Padin Corps captain, Lady Sylvia, Duchess of Henristone.

  “Welcome back, Your Holiness, the Lady Hinwe!” was the Lady Madeine’s greeting. “I trust that everything is ready for your return?”

  “I think that’s not even a question, Maddie,” the Lady Ruro told her. “Look at her face; that’s the eyes of someone filled with determination.”

  “Sir G really did well in helping you find yourself, midy,” the Lady Natasha added.

  “Well, of course!” the Lady Hinwe chuckled. “Kuro’s annoying antics and constant nagging would really prod me—or anyone—to ‘heal’ themselves quickly.”

  “I totally understand you on that,” the Lady Seirna ughed, which was also followed by the others. However, they eventually returned to the topic at hand…

  “Nevertheless, I can’t keep going like this forever,” the Elf Saint told them. “Everyone in this pce helped me, even as we are strangers before. And Kuro…he sacrificed a lot to awaken my desire to become who I should be. As an elf who’s proud of her heritage, I can’t ignore everyone’s feelings anymore. I have to step up.”

  “You’ll always have our support,” Lily told her.

  “Lady Hinwe Tal-Inwir, Holy Custodian of the Waters of Cherwoods,” the Human Saint extended her hand to bless the Elf Saint. “May the heavens bless you, and those who’ll fight in your name, complete victory over your foes.”

  “Thank you for waiting for me, Your Holinesses,” she replied, bowing before everyone in gratitude. “From this moment on, I—the Elf Saint, Hinwe Tal-Inwir—shall cim my rightful throne and authority once again!”